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Never miss a kick-off!Signup +Join the clubGet full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in.Subscribe to our newsletterWhen Ecuador head coach Sebastian Beccacece names his final 26-man squad for World Cup 2026, Moises Caicedo is a dead cert to be included.It will be a second World Cup for the Chelsea midfielder, who was part of Gustavo Alfaro's squad in Qatar four years ago as a 21-year-old Brighton & Hove Albion prospect with the world at his feet.Now a senior figure within the Ecuador squad under Sebastian Beccacece, Caicedo has 60 caps at the age of 24 but has lots to learn, by his own admission. You may like Colombia World Cup 2026 squad: Nestor Lorenzo's latest selection ahead of the March international break People wanted Ronaldo banned at the start of the World Cup it was disrespectful to a player whos put Portugal on the map. FIFA treated him fairly Maniche on Cristiano Ronaldos red card controversy Canada World Cup 2026 squad: Jesse Marsch's latest selection ahead of the March internationals Moises Caicedo will serve a World Cup banTreat yourself to your favourite World Cup 2026 shirtadidas Men's FIFA...adidas Men's FIFA World Cup 2026 Spain Home T-Shirt in Dark Blue Size: XS $35Viewat Finish Lineadidas Men's FIFA...adidas Men's FIFA World Cup 2026 Spain Home T-Shirt in Dark Blue Size: Large $35Viewat Finish LineSpain 26 Home...Spain 26 Home Jersey $100Viewat Adidas USSpain 26 Home...Spain 26 Home Authentic Jersey $150Viewat Adidas USView Similar...View Similar Amazon US No price informationCheck Amazonat AmazonCaicedo has encountered some disciplinary problems during the 2025/26 season and will start the World Cup on the sidelines due to a one-match suspension.Ecuador qualified for this summer's finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico thanks to a sturdy campaign in CONMEBOL. They lost just twice and finished second behind World Cup holders Argentina, beating them in the last qualifier in Guayaquil in September.Caicedo was given a second yellow card five minutes into the second half and slapped with an automatic one-match ban to be served during Ecuador's World Cup opener.La Tri's first World Cup fixture in Group E will be against Ivory Coast at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. While it's reported that Ecuador will continue to push for the ban to be deferred or overturned, there's little chance they will succeed.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.The Chelsea midfielder has found it difficult to stay out of trouble this season, picking up 12 yellow cards in all competitions for the Blues. He's been suspended twice in the Premier League including once for a red card, and has also served a ban in the Carabao Cup."I think players don't like to get yellow cards or red cards. I need to learn from that," Caicedo told reporters in January. "That's why people, referees, recognise me, because I'm very aggressive in winning the ball back, but not with bad intentions."Ecuador's hopes of having their midfield man reinstated against Ivory Coast were perhaps boosted by the leeway afforded to Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo after his red card against the Republic of Ireland in November.Ronaldo earned a three-match ban but FIFA's disciplinary committee suspended two matches of that for a year, a very rare intervention that just happened to clear the 41-year-old to play in the first two World Cup fixtures.FIFA noted that the decision took into account Ronaldo's disciplinary record and a lack of a previous red card over the course of a very lengthy international career, a case that cannot be made in Caicedo's defence.He will be available again for Ecuador's second group match against Curacao at Arrowhead Stadium and third group match against Germany at MetLife Stadium, which will also host the final on Sunday, July 19..TOPICSChelseaEcuadorWorld CupWorld Cup 2026Chris NeeChris is a Warwickshire-based freelance football writer specialising in West Midlands football, the Premier League, the EFL and the J.League. He is the author of the High Protein Beef Paste football newsletter and owner of Aston Villa Review. He supports Coventry Sphinx.
